Project-based homeschooling is based on the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, developed in Italy after World War 2. The Célestin Freinet method is a similar project-based approach to learning. The child takes all the responsibility for their project and their learning, with parents assisting them with research, planning, or obtaining resources for their projects. Real-life learning cannot be divided neatly into separate subjects, but many projects will incorporate all the major learning areas. The parents keep a journal recording such things as observations, steps taken, or questions asked so the parent and child can later reflect on and discuss the project. A typical day might include: a visit to the local library to conduct research; some planning on a white board; discussing aspects of the project over lunch; stretches of time where the student is absorbed in working on his project; reading related books; and, some time for studying any subjects that aren’t incorporated into the project.

STRENGTHS

• very much student-led and student-centered
• not an ‘all-or-nothing method’; but, works well with many other homeschool methods
• students that collaborate on projects develop valuable social skills
• inquiry-based learning fosters a love and motivation for learning
• working on projects can make research meaningful and develop strong research skills
• having a projects-based approach to learning can nurture student passions and talents

POINTS TO CONSIDER

• a good choice if you value independent or self-directed learning
• difficult to plan a structured learning path
• projects might need some guidance to ensure that all core competencies are being developed
• attempting to incorporate every subject into a project might not work so well for certain subjects that build on a growing bed of systematic, prerequisite knowledge (e.g. math)

RESOURCES

• Project-based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners by Lori Pickert
• Bringing Reggio Emilia Home: An Innovative Approach to Early Childhood Education – Louise Boyd Cadwell
• The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Experience in Transformation – Edwards, Gandini and Forman (Editors)
  
• Freinet, C. (1993) Education Through Work: a model for child-centered learning; translated by John Sivell